Tank truck gauge



Aug. ll, 1931. c. F. H. BOHNHARDT TANK TRUCK GAUGE Filed June 18, 1928ACHARLES EH. oH/vf/Apor l veA/Ton ATTORNEY fr/0M@ Patented Aug. 11, 1931CHARLES F. Ii. BOHHABDT, OF LYNWOOB, CALIFORNIA TANK TRUCK GAUGEApplication filed .Tune 18, 1928.

My present invention relates to the art of determining the level of aliquid with regard to some reference point or plane for the purpose ofmeasuring its volume. My invention relates especially to volumedeterminations on tanks which are used for transporting volatileliquids, such as gasoline.

It is an object of my invention to provide a gauge which cannot betampered With, also a gauge Which is sealed at all times and Which hasno moving parts actuated by the rise or fall of the liquid in the tank.

l attain these and other objects by the mechanism illustrated in theaccompanying drawings in Which:

Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of one embodiment of my improved gaugeand Fig. 2 is an elevation, partly in section, of a second embodiment ofmy improved gauge, both utilizing the same novel principles ofConstruction Which characterize my invention.

Referring to Fig. 2, a transparent tube 1 is secured in the cuplikecontainer 2 Which is threaded at 3 to screw into the collar 4C. The

transparent tube is preferably a piece of ordinary cylindrical gaugeglass and is sealed into the cup by suitable packing. In this instancethe gland 5, packing 6, Washer 7, and locknut 8, prevent liquid fromleaking around the tube into the cup at the lower end, While the Washer9 prevents leakage around the top end of the tube into the cup. Passages10 and 11 vent the upper end of the tube back into the interior of thetank, and aperture 12 through the gland 5 opens the lower end of thetube to the interior of the tank. The gauge glass then forms atransparent passage through and across the cup in such manner that whenthe cup is partially immersed in a liquid as indicated at 13, the liquidrises freely in the glass and is clearly observable by a person lookingdown into the cup. A mirror 14 is set in a suitable plastic on thebottom of the cup with its reflecting surface up to enhance the lightand to consequently Serial No. 286,261.

improve the visibility of the liquid in the glass.

Liquid level indicators used on truck tanks employed in tank loaddelivery of gasoline have a function different from that of gauges usedon tanks employed in the delivery of gasoline in less than tank loads.Gauges of the first class need only determine when the liquid hasreached a predetermined height at Which point the volume of the tank isknown, a reading of the quantity in a partly filled tank not beingrequired. Gauges in the second employment must not only determine Whenthe tank is full but must also determine the volume at partial loads.

The indicator shown in Fig. 2 is designed primarily for use on tanksWhich are employed in transporting liquid in full tank loads. For thisreason it is provided With a single fixed marker 15 consisting of ametal rod With an upset end 16 adapted to screw into the cup and extendinto the gauge glass. When the liquid rises in the glass as the tank isiilled, its level in the glass is seen as an iridescent concave surface,Which Will abruptly break into an annular meniscus when it touches theend of the marker. The tank is then full to the proper level and the`operator stops the flow of the liquid into the tank. Limited adjustmentof the marker is provided for in the threads on the upset end 16, afterwhich the set-screw 17 can be tightened and jammed, making the locationof the marker permanent.

The liquid level indicator illustrated in Fig. 1 is designed primarilyto meet the conditions of less' than tank load delivery. This gauge hasa transparent tube 18 and a cup 19 similar to those just described,except that tne cup is more elongated and the gauge glass runssubstantially parallel with it along one side. rihe tube 18 is sealedinto the cup 19 for the same purpose that the tube 1 is sealed into thecup 2, that is to prevent liquid from entering the cup while permittingit to rise in the gauge glass. 'Ihe purpose of the gauge in Fig. l beingto determine the liquid level at diiierent heights, it is provided withthe scale 2O secured to the cup behind the gauge and with a mirror 21carried on a rod Guides 23 constrain this rod Yto travel in a lineparallel VYThe mirror isset at an angle of substan` ally 450 to the axisolf the gauge glass. An operator can then see an image ot the glass andthe scale behind it by looking straight down into the mirror. By thensimply drawing up the rod until the mirror is directly opposite theliquid level in the the height oi' the liquid can be read on the scale`and by reference 'to calibration table the correspoiuling if'oluine canbe determined.

The chiet` disadvantage ot a gauge glass on a tank containinginflammable liquid is than even though partially protected, it might bebroken or the packed joints might leak. In my improvee gauge the glassis contained in a cup which prevents the escape ot' any liquid in theevent of either glass break: e or leakage ot the joints. To render mygauge still more sate the cups are provided with tight covers 9A, whichmay be oi any suitable type, a preferred cover being shown in Fig. Herethe cover is secured to the cup by the interrupted thread indicated at25 and mating rollers Qt revolving on lugs projecting from the sides ofthe cover. A suitable gasket 27 provides packing between the cover andthe top of the cup. To facilitate handling this cover and to preventaccidental damage, it is carried on the hinged lever 287 in such mannerthat it may be tipped back as indicated in the dotted lines of Fig, 2.Lever 2S is secured to the cover by the bolt Q9, which is threaded intothe center oi the cover to Jform a gas tight connection, and ispivotally secured through the lever; the lever in turn is pivoted on pinSO. Shoulder 3lv contacts with lug when the cover is open and preventsit from passing 'farther than is nez'fessary tor stability. In thismanner the cover is protected from damage, and possible loss. lVhen thecover is in position on the cup the gauge is externallyY sealed andcompletely saieginirded. Obviously such a cover can be applied to thegauge illustrated in Fig. l,

In Fig. l it is to be noted that the rod and the mirror carried by itare entirely contained in the cup when not in use7 and in such mannerthat it does not hinder the appli- Though I have described my improvedtruck tank gauge with particular reference to tanks mounted on motortrucks it is apparent that it can be applied to railroad 'tank sesnwf'hx vaa'mav' i f Y -emsum w ,Y other tanks and centaineis and I donotlimit myself' to the particular embodiment or use herein set forthexcept as limited by the following claims.

I claim as my invention:

l. A liquid level indicator for a closed tank, comprising: a cup adaptedto project downwardly into the closed tank, said cup being liquid tightexcept at its upper end; a transparent tube obliquely traversing saidcup nd communicating with the within said tank and without said cup;there being an opening in the bottom of said cup cooperating` with saidtube to admit liquid into said tube; means for nonleakably sealing saidtube into the walls of said cup; a solid body projecting downwardlywithin said tube for contacting with the surface of liquid rising withinsaid tube; light reflecting means in said cup; and means for closing theupper end of said cup.

2. A liquid level indicator i'or a closed tank; comprising: a cupadapted to project downwardly into Athe closed tank, said cup beingliquid tight except at its upper end; a transparent tube traversing saidcup and communicating with the space within said tank and without saidcup; there being an opening in the bottom of said cup cooperating withsaid tube to admit liquid into said tube; means for nonleakably sealingsaid tube into the walls oi said cup; and a solid body projectingdownwardly within said tube tor contacting at a predetermined level withthe surface of liquid rising within said tube.

3. A liquid level indicator for a tank, comprising: a cup adapted toproject downwardly into the tank, said cup being liquid tight except atits upper end; a transparent tube traversing said cup and communicatingwith the space within said tank and without said cup; there being anopening in the bottom of said cup cooperating with said tube to admitliquid into said tube; means for nonleakably sealing said tube into thewalls ot said cup; means for visually ascertaining the level of liquidrising within said tube, and means for closing the open end of said cup.

fl. A liquid level indicator for a tank, conlprising: a cup adapted toproject downwardly into the tank7 said cup being liquid tight except atits upper end; a transparent tube traversing said cup and communicatingwith the space within said tank and without said cup; there being anopening in the bottom of said cup cooperating with said tube to admitliquid into said tube; means for sealing said tube into the walls ofsaid cup; and

moans for visually ascertainingthe level oi? LLI w13 111m` A liquidlevel indicator for a closed tank, comprising: a cup adapted to projectdownwardly into the closed tank, said.cup except at its upper end; a

communicating with the space within saidY tank and Without said Ycup;there being an opening in the bottom of said cup cooperating with saidtube to admit liquid into said tube; and means for sealing said tubeinto the Walls of said cup in such manner that when said cup ispartially immersed in a liquid said liquid rises in said tube and isexcluded from the interior of said cup.

In witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my namethis 2nd day of May, 1928.

CHARLES F. H. BOHNHARDT.

